The all-weather Ka-52 helicopter is a highly maneuverable flying attack vehicle of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The "Alligator" was created by the Kamov Design Bureau to effectively combat armored ground and low-flying air targets. The helicopter managed to visit Syria. When the National Interest learned about the arrival of the Ka-52 with crews in the combat zone, its journalists wrote that the militants were now in "danger." However, the conflict pointed to a number of flaws in the car, which forced the designers to carry out a quick modernization.
What is it all about
The first flight of the Ka-52 helicopter took place back in 1997. Then the helicopter was literally booed in the Western media. American experts did not believe in the declared characteristics of the combat vehicle, deciding that the presentation of the Ka-52 was a cheap bluff. This is because they have not been able to do anything of the kind in the United States for all the time. Today, even the last skeptics have been forced to admit that the Ka-52 is one of the most advanced combat vehicles on the planet, and (possibly) the best helicopter in its class.
This model is a modernization of the famous Ka-50 "Black Shark". The new car inherited about 80% of the technical base of its predecessor, just like him, the 52nd is driven by two pilots. At the same time, the helicopter has a much wider cockpit.
Combat experience and another upgrade
No test or exercise can be compared with real combat experience. According to information available to the Novate.ru edition, the Ka-52 was tested in Syria. There "Alligators" took part in numerous military operations. The machine showed its best side, although it once again confirmed the fact that even the most advanced helicopters are vulnerable to MANPADS, including Stinger-class installations. Thanks to this experience, the Ka-52 has already undergone several small upgrades. In particular, it was replaced with a more advanced ground target detection system. Previously, a helicopter could detect a car at a distance of 8 km during the day and 5 km at night. Now these figures are 10 and 8 km, respectively.
Armor is light, missiles are formidable
"Alligator", as well as its naval modification K-52K "Katran" are very unusual machines in terms of weapons. The pilots have at their disposal a 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon with 460 rounds of ammunition, blocks of 80-mm unguided aircraft missiles and air bombs. Installation of other weapons is also possible. In general, the K-52 is a very flexible vehicle in this regard. To carry out an attack on ships, the helicopter can receive X-31 and X-35 missiles. By the way, this is the only helicopter in the world that is capable of attacking Su-35 or MiG-35 aircraft in the sky, as well as similar ones in class. The fact is that the majority of helicopters in the world, in principle, are not capable of using X-class missiles due to their high initial speed.
Do you want to see even more interesting flying machines? How about finding out how and when was shows a helicopter that can take off at an angle of 80 degrees and become an airplanewhen you really need it.